Health and Wellbeing

Sexual consent

The age of consent (agreement) to any form of sexual activity in the UK is 16 regardless of gender, sexual orientation or culture and whether the sexual activity is between people of the same or different gender.

It is an offence for a person to intentionally touch another person sexually without reasonable belief that they consented. Touching covers all physical contact, whether with a part of the body or anything else, or through clothing.

Consenting to one form of sexual activity does not mean imply consent to any other e.g., kissing doesn’t mean you’ve agreed to anything else.

Consent can be withdrawn at any point and at any time.

Consenting on one occasion does not imply consent at another.

Consent cannot be legally given if a person is drunk or high on drugs.

"We see consent as both/all participants being happy, comfortable and informed about what they’re doing. We know that having consent is more than your partner not saying no, as the absence of a no does not mean yes"

"Talking about consent can be a difficult thing. We aren’t always taught in school how to tell a partner what we like or don’t like, plus talking openly with someone about our desires can be new and scary"

By sexual violence, we mean any kind of unwanted, non-consensual sexual touching or harassment within or outside a relationship.

It is a non-legal, all-encompassing term, used here to include the crimes of rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, groping and being coerced into sexual acts. Sexual harassment involves the making of unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks. Sexual violence and harassment affects people of all ages, genders, cultures and sexual orientations.

Legal definitions

Consent: The statutory definition 'if he agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice'. Crown Prosecution Service

Rape: A person commits rape if they intentionally penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with their penis without consent.

Sexual Assault: A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally touch another person, the touching is sexual and the person does not consent.

Serious sexual assault: Assault by penetration - a person commits assault by penetration if they intentionally penetrate the vagina or anus of another person with a part of the body or anything else, without their consent. Metropolitan police

Sexual harassment: When someone behaves in a way which makes you feel distressed, intimidated or offended and the behaviour is of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Citizens Advice Bureau

one in seven women survey respondents had experienced a serious physical or sexual assault during their time as a student

over two thirds of respondents (68 per cent) have experienced some kind of verbal or non-verbal harassment including groping, flashing and unwanted sexual comments

12 per cent of respondents reported being subject to stalking

more than one in ten has been a victim of serious physical violence

16 per cent have experienced unwanted kissing, touching or molesting during their time as a student, the majority of which has taken place in public

seven per cent have been subject to a serious sexual assault, the majority of which occurred in somebody’s home

one in ten victims of serious sexual assault was given alcohol or drugs against their will before the attack.

Why don't students report sexual violence and harassment?

they don’t think it’s serious enough

shame or embarrassment

fear of blame

fear of not being believed.

Consequences of sexual violence and harassment

For the student survivor: deterioration in mental health and sometimes physical health; loss of confidence in relationships; detrimental effect on studies; departure from university. (NUS 2010)

For the perpetrator: a possible jail sentence; expulsion from university.

The NUS (National Union of Students) I Heart Consent campaign aims to tackle myths, misunderstandings and problematic perspectives about rape, sexual consent and sexual harassment, and educate Sussex students on these issues.

I Heart Consent aims to create a healthy understanding of consent; sexual activity which is sought enthusiastically, rather than viewed as the beginning of a negotiation

If you have experienced any form of sexual violence, and by this we mean any kind of unwanted, non-consensual sexual touching or harassment then download leaflet: Sexual Violence: Has this happened to you? [PDF 49.56KB] or pick one up at the Student Life Centre (Ground floor, Bramber House.)

Bystander intervention

What is a bystander?

A bystander is any person who is present at an event or incident but does NOT take part.

What is bystander intervention?

Bystander Intervention involves developing the awareness, skills, and courage needed to intervene in a situation when another individual needs help. Bystander intervention allows individuals to send powerful messages about what is acceptable and expected behavior in our community.

Bystander Intervention on the web and in the press

Safer Sussex

Safer Sussex is an inclusive and proactive student group of allies, survivors and/or any folks who want to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence on campus and see substantive and holistic change in the university's support and dealing of survivors.

If you would like to join Safer Sussex to organise events and take part in raising awareness of sexual violence, email